Justin Langer, the combative former Australian coach is back in the news. This time for good reason. Rather good reason from a general perspective. A report has emerged that he is interested to take up the role of head coach of the England cricket team. The position has fallen vacant after Chris Silverwood was shown the door after the Ashes debacle. Interview with prospective candidates hasn’t been called yet but Langer has already thrown his hat into the ring. Will Langer conjure a miracle?
Langer had resigned his Australia coaching role after Cricket Australia offered a 6-month contract extension. Langer, who had just won the Ashes and the World T20 prior to that will have none of it and he wanted a longer tenure which the players and CA were unwilling to accommodate his wish. He was left with no choice but to resign. Now, the job of coaching the old enemy may fall on his lap.
The ECB wants to fill this role by the middle of April. However, they will have to first appoint a Director of Cricket and then the head coach. The time available is quite less and hence, there may not be a formal interview process. If ECB decides to appoint Langer, they will give the job to him straightaway. Afterall, he does not have anything to prove to anyone.
Langer left behind a far confident Australian team
Langer may or may not have the support of the Australian team but when he left, he has left behind a much healthy Australian side than what he had inherited. So much so that the Australian team even won a series in Pakistan after a very longtime. He was a hard task master and he demanded the best from his players. Only thing that may work against Langer is that Australians are known for their toughness and being aggressive. If Langer proved to be overbearing even for Australia, what chances does the English team have?
English cricket is in need of a complete overhaul. Appointing Langer as the coach will not solve the problems overnight. Nevertheless, it is a start in the correct direction.
Former cricketers are supporting this move
Mathew Hayden said, “Sign him up,” Hayden told 7NEWS when asked if Langer should be headhunted to turn around England’s recent woes.
“If he can turn Cricket Australia around in four years, imagine what he could do with the England Cricket Board. God help us.”
Andrew Strauss on whom so much rests said, “I know him well and on the surface he’s done a very good job with that Australian cricket team so I wouldn’t rule him out (for the coaching job),” said Strauss.
The wizard said, “If I were the ECB (England Cricket Board) I’d be poaching Justin. I’d be signing him up next week,” Shane Warne said speaking to Fox Cricket.
Nasser Hussain, the much respected commentator said, “Langer would be very good for two reasons,” Hussain told Sky Sports News. “He has just played against England, so knows exactly where their strengths and weakness lie, as he’s literally been there and seen it. He’s also the type of character England need at the moment. They do need that micro-management and they do need that kick up the backside. There are not performing, and they’ve got to get results going, so Langer would be a good candidate.
Will the English players handle Langer?
The question is, will the England players be capable of handling a personality like Langer? He is grumpy and intense. The Amazon series, The Test, comes to mind. England is likely to be reminded of the Andy Flower days. He was much the same as Langer. England players are not that used to authoritarian ways. They loathe such high-handed and arbitrary coach. Remember the days of Gower, Lamb and the rest? They played the game just out of passion and winning or losing did not really matter. England toughened under Gooch but not to the extent of Australia. The English public by and large are quite laidback and they will allow things to happen in their natural course of time. The cricket team is exactly the same.
It is this attitude that Langer will have to change if he becomes the coach. I am sure there will be a lot of resistance to his style of management. In this, ECB will have to give him unconditional support. Take the case of Broad and Anderson. They were dropped from the squad because Root wants a more calm team environment or an environment that will be under his direct control.
Conclusion to Langer is back in the news
Having said that, Langer does bring in passion and a penchant for results. He will not be happy with England’s mediocrity. If Langer is offered the job, he will bring in intensity and will demand the best from the players. With South Africa and India scheduled to tour England, it will be a good time to invest in Langer so that by the time the next Ashes comes around, England will be primed and be ready.